Re: Your Beauty Regime

I've never had much of a regime - I'm not very good at consistency - and now I am having to learn one. After spending the summer in Florida my skin is a wreck: red, freckled, and the pores have enlarged (this WITH sunscreen). Florida was the undoing of my complexion. Normally, I just use any old thing - Pond's cold cream, sea breeze astringent for sensitive skin, dove bar in the shower on my face, or some kind of foaming face wash, whatever type of moisturizer has taken my fancy - drugstore items. Now...I need serious help. I need something to HEAL my skin. So I will be watching here with interest. I think Lancome Renergie is supposed to be pretty good, I may have to cough up $$$ for a jar of that, or something equivalent.

One tip I have: organic hydrosol rosewater to refresh. It is soothing to irritated skin, softening, and helps to tame hair frizzies too. I use it to cool my face after a workout.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

My skin is gettting seriously affected by hormonal changes. I'm very annoyed with it lately. But Lancome is all is use.
I love their cleansing water, because i can't stand greasiness of any kind on my face. I get Genifique, the serum and the eye cream, and Visionnaire regularly, and i need to try that new eye stuff they brought out, with the pearl thing on the applicator, that swivels around.
Oh and i recently found a brand new in box Yon-Ka Face Mask at a garage sale for a few bucks, but not tried it yet.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

All hail the mighty Clarisonic!

The guy Dr.Robb who invented the sonic toothbrush invented the Clarisonic. Its like the sonic/electric toothbrush really cleans you teeth, well the Clarisonic really really really cleans your face. Different brushes for different skin types, I use the Delicate on myself.

I bought mine back in 2009 when if first came to the UK(a friend bought one from the US and swore by it). Your skin feels like glass, your blackheads will go(you can click the middle part of the brush out, and really get into the sides of the nose), you don't need to exfoliate so so save money buying that every few months. Any cleanser you remove with water can be used with it.

The big test for me was:

I removed my makeup as normal then used the Clarisonic and the dirt and makeup that came off on the brush head was unbelievable!!!

QVC UK and US sell them(Plus(this has the body brush),Normal(just for the face has timer etc) and Mia(this is the travel version so small but same brush head fits), sometimes on easy pay and you have 30 days to try and return if not happy.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Ok, I'm sold! Actually,my first thought when you mentioned it was the sonic toothbrush, which my dentist has recommended but I still haven't bought one. I actually just don't want anymore electronic gadgets (esp. considering travelling with a bunch of gear - hair appliances, sonic toothbrush, 'net gadgets & phones + recharcher cords, lighted magnifying mirror which I MUST have...etc, etc)...but this one might be calling my name anyway.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Totally agree with donna255 on the clairsonic!! I've used mine for about 2yrs now & would never be without it! They are an investment, but so totally worth the price. (got mine somewhat discounted on ebay) Don't go for the cheaper brands here. They're not the same at all.

Lilybelle, I know what you mean about what the Florida weather does to the complexion! For skincare I use the Obagi Condition & Enhance System & it's done wonders for my skin. It's a bit challenging at first because you get dry & peel, but oh the fantastic results! The dark spots are gone, pores refined & just a healthy glow now. I also add in their C serum, as well as Elastiderm for the eyes. Good stuff.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

THANK you, Genie Jeanie! I see you know exactly what I mean. I will definitely check out Obagi. I have tried other chemical things on my face, but I thought the dryness meant they were not for me - my skin has become more sensitive with age, not less - but from what you say the dryness is a phase you must live through for a while. I might just make a commitment for once (desperation!).

L'enfer, I'm sorry if I've glommed onto your thread...I'm just so glad you started it!

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Thanks for the info we may need to invest in two of those gizmos after all. I'm struggling to find a decent facial exfoliator, if the Clairsonic works then it would be worth the money. Especially considering the cost of facial scrubs. My other half has been using a exfoliator I think it's from Sisley that cost £80 a tube although I think it has been discontinued she bought backups.

Originally Posted by lilybelle

L'enfer, I'm sorry if I've glommed onto your thread...I'm just so glad you started it!

That's quite all right Lilybelle there is no need to apologize I'm happy the thread is getting replies and hopefully people will find it worth while.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Unsure whether a male Basenoter may also post on this thread, without being too off-topic (considering that this post of mine should be far more on one of the "Male Grooming" threads), also if this involved indeed more male grooming, rather than beauty care and also if a guy who is not particularly metrosexual or dandified is supposed to write about this.

Yet, I do use quite a variety of both face and body creams, as well as lotions, cleansers, washes etc. on a daily basis. Given that I have a mixed skin on both face and body, as well as an age where grooming and care are not to be neglected by a man any longer (I'm 29 now), I do need product lines for the three major skin problems mixed type skins have to deal with: oiliness, a slight tendency towards irritation and also towards slight wrinkling.

Thus, I use on a daily basis:

For my face:

Alverde vegan aftershave balm (with little alcohol and lots of soothing aloe vera and ginseng extracts)
Anti-wrinkle eye cream by Cosmetic Plant, unscented and with Q10
Balancing and anti-impurities face cream with no parabens, for mixed-type skin, by Elmiplant
Moisturizing face cream for mixed-type skin with A, E and F vitamins, by Plant Activ
Aloe Vera soothing face gel with no parabens, by Herbagen
Skin perfecting cream, lightly toned, from the BB Skin Perfector series by Laboratoires Garnier
Vegan alpine rose night cream by Alverde
Vegan face wash with aloe vera and ginseng extracts by Alverde
Bio cleansing lotion by Yves Rocher
Paraben-free moisturizing lotion for mixed-type skin, by Elmiplant
(of course, the order in which I use them is entirely different, but I simply wrote it here as I remembered)

For body care:

Apart from the usual bar soaps and body washes, also after each shower or bath, a body cream and one-two body lotions, at least one of these products containing at least one of the three aforementioned vitamins and/or the co-enzyme Q10. Applying, after of course through washing and cleansing first, without being that much choosy here, the regular, easily available, affordable products by common brand like Nivea, Dove, Neutrogena being more than enough. A further advantage is that, on some of the possible application points for fragrance, scent's longevity is at least marginally increased, even if the body care product may not be neutral, yet lightly scented.

Furthermore, I hereby add that Elimplant, Herbagen, Cosmetic Plant, Plant Activ are simply affordable local Romanian brands, nothing special or outstanding, but pretty natural and (for now) doing the job, while Alverde is a slightly more organic, more premium in-house brand of the German cosmetic retail chain DM. Also, using the "sensitive" ranges of shaving products for my daily shave (including a pre-shave oil for sensitive skin and/or tough beard, since I have both problems), a face peeling/face mask at least within a few weeks, if not every week.
Most of the face products, even some of the body products contain some, albeit quite low, SPF. In addition to that, I like to keep my skin further moisturized by drinking plenty of mineral water, rich in, obviously, minerals and other nutrients.

Hope my list (albeit I don't use L'Occitane and other more upmarket brands for now) doesn't sound too much like the famous grooming routines described in both the book and the movie "American Psycho"...

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Originally Posted by lilybelle

THANK you, Genie Jeanie! I see you know exactly what I mean. I will definitely check out Obagi. I have tried other chemical things on my face, but I thought the dryness meant they were not for me - my skin has become more sensitive with age, not less - but from what you say the dryness is a phase you must live through for a while. I might just make a commitment for once (desperation!).

L'enfer, I'm sorry if I've glommed onto your thread...I'm just so glad you started it!

Obagi is considered medical grade, but not chemical. My dermatologist recommended it. The products work together as an entire system to release the build up of dry, dead skin cells & thus brings out the fresh new skin lurking below. (we all have it down there somewhere!) It does take a little patience getting to that point though. Though it works beautifully for me it's not for everyone!

And you are right that some products just cause dryness & irritation without benefit. Not a good thing!

I worked as an esthetician for many years & it took me quite a while to find the right products for myself. There is no one-size-fits-all in skincare. Maybe a trip to a good dermatologist would lead you in the right direction.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Thank you, l'enfer.

GenieJeanie, in the meantime I looked at the Obagi website and saw that their products are by prescription. I know, you're right...I do need to see a dermatologist, not just for cosmetic reasons but to have a checkup for preventive reasons. I've been putting it off.

Skin care is skin care, whatever the gender. I, for one, am always glad to see you Ken Russell.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Ok...I found this RoC MULTI CORREXION® Skin Renewing Serum at the drugstore...

I have been using it on face, neck and decolletage...and I am noticing a definite improvement (might be my imagination?)! Pores are disappearing and skin is less red. Also, the weather is cooling off, which helps. I can't remember the price, under $20. Yes, I know I still have to go to the dermatologist. I need to find something similar for legs and arms and hands.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

hmm... a timely thread, after spending every weekend at the ocean, my skin needed attention...like lillybelle, I have not been that consistent, but the most satisfying skin regime I have used on my face has been DHC cosmetics Deep Cleansing Oil, very gentle, my skin always looks and feels wonderful when I use this, not sure why I ever stray from it. I'm also trying some Chanel skin care at the moment, Hydramax creme and Vitalumiere foundation, very lightly applied. So far pleased with this. Having had oily/combination skin for most of my life, my skin now appreciates moisture.

For body care, I've used plain Dove soap for years and currently use Jason Rosewater lotion applied fresh out of the shower. I alternate using lotion and various oils post shower, Himalayan massage oil purchased at Whole Foods, Amouage Jubilation 25 body creme, Le Labo massage oils (Iris 39) the scent and texture which I find very sensual, heady and luxurious. Body scrubs are wonderful, too.

Though I haven't consistently done it, body brushing is wonderful for circulation and exfoliation. Very energizing.

- - - Updated - - -

L'enfer, I've been meaning to comment that the list of what you have been wearing is gorgeous.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: Your Beauty Regime

I mostly gave up face products about two years ago and my skin has never been better. I say 'mostly,' which means:

- If I don't wear makeup, I wash morning and night with warm water only.
- If I do wear makeup, I clean with either Pond's Cold Cream or regular aqueous cream.
- Moisturizer with SPF every day - usually Lubriderm, Oil of Olay or Kiehl's.
- If I need a night moisturizer, I'll use Kiehl's Creme de Corps, or maybe Body Shop's Carrot cream.

For body, I get a bunch of The Body Shop shower gels when they're on clearance each year. I also bring Neutro Roberts bagnoschiuma back from Italy whenever I go because I like the way it smells and it doesn't irritate my skin. Kiehl's Creme de Corps is my favorite body moisturizer.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

I pretty much stick to Kagey's regime.
However, my weekly routine includes an almond oil bath to saturate my dry skin (I hate body creams and the likes).
Also, I seem to always try out new things and rotate... never use the same stuff exclusively or for too long. Currently at home are Lush's Gorgeous Cream (sounds fancy but is wonderful), Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Serum, also their lip balm (which is the best thing I have ever had). I also have a bottle of rosewater, which I use fairly often.
Other than that, a nutritional supplement of hemp seed oil (the pure product, straight) has been to great effect for me. I do not believe in vitamin pills and fancy food supplements. I try to buy quality food only and prefer spending my money this way.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Originally Posted by Larimar

Other than that, a nutritional supplement of hemp seed oil (the pure product, straight) has been to great effect for me. I do not believe in vitamin pills and fancy food supplements. I try to buy quality food only and prefer spending my money this way.

I believe in buying the best possible foodstuffs available to. However I do take daily "probiotic" enriched vitamin supplement that actually does help especially when I'm feeling poorly.

I still haven't found anything worth writing about here yet perhaps because I have no issues with my skin I just like using creams etc I think they help improve your appearance perhaps I'm alone on this.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

The Mrs and I tend to share a lot of the same stuff and steer clear of anything containing parabens as a general rule.
At the moment - Nude Progenius Treatment Oil (probiotics / omega 3,6,7,9) followed by Caudalie Premier Cru Moisturiser (antioxidants, grapeseed extract) at night. In the morning a light application of Bakel P-Lipic (Sodium Hyaluronate). Also use various L'Occitane and Molton Brown shower / body products. A good balanced diet and staying well hydrated also works wonders, as does regular exercise.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Sleep, exercise, dairy in the diet, moisturisers with sunscreen - no particular brand, just whatever catches my eye in Boots, no make-up. That's pretty much it, but then I am incredibly lazy and care little for my appearance. Damp English climate also helps I think, but probably not as much as good genes.

Re: Your Beauty Regime

Yes I have a beauty regimen.Lifestyle-not overeating, mostly food not junk, sleep is very important to me, and Jazzercise dance exercise in the mornings, because dancing is good for body but also for my spirit. Nothing like disco in the morning, LOL. I don't eat until after the workout so try to do at least 12 consecutive hours fasting between supper and break-fast. Also do the facial exercises, and Kegels of course, though that's not for beauty I guess. Except maybe tangientally.

Products for skin-Night: Wash, either Body Shop Tea Tree or Avon's Mark gel cleanser or generic Target Renewal cleanser, depending on how my skin feels. Every once in a while exfoliate with Body Shop C. Avon eye cream, generic Retin-A 0.1% cream (which, BTW, oddly enough has helped the rosacea to heal. Counterintuitive but that stuff works on almost everything.Day: Rinse with water and Olay Complete Daily Facial Sensitive - the only day lotion that has never caused me irritation. Me and about a million other people, they tried to change the formula a couple of years back and got so much pushback and lost sales that they changed it back.Body: Mostly just rinse with water usually, body wash in parts that actually get stinky but not on arms and legs, etc. At least once a week I rub the whole body, dry, with exfoliating gloves; and at least every-other-day moisturize after the shower, usually Body Shop lotions, mango or shea, but really whatever is around, sometimes coconut oil.

Hair-not gonna go there, I am a hair geek for sure! That would take another post.

Seems to be working; more than any specific product I think that being moderate with food and sun, getting enough exercise and sleep and sex and fun are the most important to your beauty. Well, maybe one product, that retin-a, LOL, that stuff has been a big help to my face skin.